1. Maximizing Student Assistant
Potential in Enrollment
Management
Michelle Comer & Veronica Kemp
University of California, Merced

2. Introductions and Formalities
Ivan Noe
Michelle and Ivan
Fellow student assistants who
became staff.
Veronica Kemp
Hired
Former student
assistant now staff. 

3. Michelle Comer, UC Merced
• Student Assistant 2005-2009
• Degree Clearance Temp 2009
• Enrollment Services Advisor Temp 2009
• Fellow for Alumni Affairs 2010
• Academic Records Coordinator, supervisor for
student assistants. 2010 - Present
I would have never guessed on the
day I interviewed for a student
assistant position in Financial Aid
that I was at the start of my career
in Student Affairs and on a path to
discover my true passion of
helping students.

4. Veronica Kemp, UC Merced
• Bobcat Caller 2009-2012
• Students First Center Student Assistant 2011-2012
• SFC Lead Student Assistant 2012
• Enrollment Services Advisor 2012-Present
Being a student assistant definitely prepared me for my new position. I already
knew the staff and my way around the office. My experience as a UCM student
allows me to relate to the students on a deeper level and the professional
environment definitely prepared me for working with higher-level staff.

5. Benefits of a Student Worker
Program for Student Assistants
“What can I, as a professional, provide for students?”

6.  Involvement is a necessary component of
integration into college life.
 A student worker program provides a special
type of social support by integrating students
into a professional working environment
which is a critical part of the college
community.
 The work environment provides
companionship, in addition to, emotional,
financial, and informational support.
I. Student Development
– Alexander W. Astin
(Astin, A.W. (1999). Student Involvement: A developmental theory for higher education, 40, 518-529.)

7.  Being an assistant in
enrollment management
provides students the
opportunity to learn what is
involved behind the scenes in
maintaining student enrollment
and may lead to a more
profound appreciation of the
varied processes.
 A student well integrated into
college life and connected with
the institution is more likely to
be retained.
I. Student Development
– Karlie Ekstrom, Academic Records Specialist, former
Registrar’s Office student assistant.

8.  Provides preparation for future work in
student affairs.
 Valuable resume building experience.
 A broad skill set so they can feel
comfortable applying for entry level
positions in student affairs or consider
a graduate program in student affairs.
 A strong student assistant should be
someone you want to hire!
II. Professional Development
– Namy Herr, Sophomore, Registrar Student Assistant.

9. Benefits of a Student Worker
Program for Enrollment Services
“What can students provide for me?”

10.  Your closest connection to the
students you serve, is your student
assistant.
 Student assistants serve as quality
assurance checkpoints.
 It is important to tap into the
“student” part of your student
assistants just as much as it is to
teach them to be great “assistants”.
 Cheerleaders for enrollment services.
 Can assist with advertising to
students.
 An extra hand for when the going
gets tough.
Direct Connection.

11. Things NOT to Do!
Note to Self: Listen very closely.

12.  Student assistants should be
protected from situations that may
involve conflict or confrontation.
Don’t put a student assistant in the
“line of fire.”
“A “dinner with the students” conducted during
a program review for the Students First Center
revealed that students and parents are more
comfortable speaking with staff members
about most topics they consider confidential,
such as financial aid and grades.” – Lisa Perry,
Students First Center Director

13. In order to still incorporate students on the front line but keep them out of the
“line of fire” the Students First Center created the Express Services counter
(now the Self Services counter) where student assistants help with ordering
transcripts online, providing forms, and other transactions that have a low-
confrontation risk.
Don’t put a student assistant in the
“line of fire.”
 Use student assistants creatively
for front line work.
 Staff resource nearby to take over
situation if confrontation arises.
Many student assistants are great on the front line! Having a
close back up for stressful situations will put student
assistants more at ease in this position.

14. Things to Do!
Note to Self: Listen very closely.

15.  The SFC Street Team
 Management of Social Networking
Websites
 Facebook – Rufus Bob Cat
 Twitter – Freddy First & Personal Pages
 Tumblr – “Through a Bobcat’s Eyes”
 Pinterest
 Digital Slides design using Adobe
Photoshop
1. Create Specialized Tasks
Students First Center

16.  Managers of tasks
 Including filing!
 Daily Processes
 Transcript Production
 Enrollment Verifications
 Seasonal tasks
 Updating transfer articulations from Assist.
 Entering transfer work.
 Entering Major/Minor changes.
1. Create Specialized Tasks
Office of the Registrar
– Marcus Griffiths, Registrar’s Office
student assistant

17.  Student employees who receive written, step-by-step instructions are
able to perform their responsibilities very easily and with little to no
assistance.
 Use screenshots.
 Be overly descriptive.
 The most effective guides are those that are straight and to the
point, but also answer questions that may arise during the
completion of a project.
 Have graduating student workers revise training manuals as final task each
year.
 Keep log of odd cases throughout year to use in updates.
2. Provide Guidelines and Procedures

18.  Allowing student assistants to propose
changes for processes and be creative,
fosters an environment where they
have a sense of ownership over the
tasks they assist with.
 30-60 minute meetings with student
assistants each week usually allows
enough time for their voices to be
heard.
 5 minute daily check-ins work as well
 Involve student assistants in selection
process of new student assistants.
3. Listen. Listen. Listen.

19. 4. Annual Review
 Provide an assessment
annually for your student
assistants.
 Allows students the
opportunity to set goals
and track their
professional growth.
 It also provides time for
job performance to be
discussed.– Aurora Carlson, former student assistant for SFC and Registrar’s Office.

20. 5. Recognition
 Our offices recognize student
assistants on a consistent basis.
 Student workers will dedicate
themselves more to an office
where they feel appreciated.
Examples of Recognition
• Awards Program
• Office Parties
• Gifts for graduating assistants
• Formal Appreciation Week
• Second full week of April
• National Student Employment Association
• www.nsea.info
Karlie wins 2nd place in
UCM student employee
of the year competition.
Three of our student
assistants honored at the
2013 student employee
reception.

21.  Student Employees for both departments have
expressed that they enjoy their positions and their
work environment.
 High retention rates with student assistants (most
stay employed until graduation).
 Allows ample opportunities to assist in their
professional growth.
Summary of Results

22. Our Present, Your Future
Student assistants keep us creating and improving student
services using reality based methods and help us build
relationships with students that result in honest, open feedback.

23.  What are some specialized projects your student
assistants assist with?
 Are there any creative projects that have been
effective and yielded the results you wanted?
 Thank you in advance for all of your great feedback!
Questions/Comments
Michelle Comer: mcomer@ucmerced.edu Veronica Kemp: vkemp@ucmerced.edu